Dog Control Order

Most dogs are valued by their owners and, on the whole, present no problem to society. There are exceptions to this, usually arising from the actions or negligence of a tiny minority of dog owners.

Aggressive dogs, stray dogs, dog fouling and noisy dogs can all cause problems of varying severity ranging from mild nuisance to disease, serious injury and even death.

The Council has a role in trying to ensure that the acts or omissions of dog owners do not adversely affect the health, safety or enjoyment of others.

The Council has made an Order under the provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, which enables it to apply legal controls to:

• Require owners to clean up any dog fouling  
• Exclude dogs from certain areas 
• Require dogs to be put and kept on leads in certain areas

View a leaflet describing the Dog Control Order in outline

Offences against the Order are punishable by fixed penalty notice of £80 or prosecution through the Magistrates' Court where the maximum fine is £1000.